Method and apparatus for treating nails



June 13, 1939. c c CALVIN V 2,162,155

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING NAILS Filed May '6, 19:55

INVENTOR BY I ' 30 Fig.5 F Fig.5" Fig.6 WALQRNE 132r TOlLET,

aiamam' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING NAILS Conrad C. Calvin, New York, N. Y.

Application May 6, 1935, Serial No. 19,976

31 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a method and apparatus for treating nails such as finger and toe nails.

In the treatment and beautifying of such nails, there are generally three sections or portions of the nail which may be and generally are treated as distinct portions for separate treatment, namely the moon section, the middle section, and the tip section. This same distinction and treatment applies to both finger and'toe nails.

Sometimes it is desired to have just the middle or main portion covered with nail polish or coloring matter, leaving the tip and moon in their natural color. At other times, the moon alone is left natural in color with the rest of the nail covered with nail polish or coloring matter. In other cases the tip and the moon are to be treated as well with coloring material, sometimes white in color, to more clearly define these sections, with the middle section colored with a contrasting color. These variations in the treatment of the nail and many others which may be conceived as the person may desire, are generally achieved by artistic hand work which requires great skill and takes considerable time even for an expert and a large amount of time and patience when the amateur person is trying to achieve this result by himself, but even then it cannot be done without the colors running or blending into each other and without clear lines of demarcation between the contrasting colors.

It is therefore a main object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus whereby the above and similar results may be achieved by any one, whether expert or not, with ease and with a great saving in time and effort.

A further object is to provide a simple and efficient device in the form of a stencil, mask or ornamental design mask which is used on the nail to facilitate the application of the method to the treatment of the nail, whereby the ornamental beautifying effects can be produced with ease and speed and with very clear defined lines of demarcation between the various colors.

Further and more specific objects, features, and advantages will more clearly appear from a consideration of the specification hereinafter when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of the specification and which illustrates a present preferred form which the invention, among others may assume.

In a general contemplation of the invention, it includes a stencil of predetermined form which can be applied to the nail to cover a predetermined portion of the nail while the remainder of the nail is being treated. For example, the stencil, mask, or design mask, may be disposed over the moon portion of the nail while the middle portion of the nail is being treated, with the adjacent edge of the stencil shaped with the configuration of the desired moon so that after the middle portion of the nail is finished, the stencil is lifted off and there results a well defined outer, edge to the moon which is clear and precise and of any desired shape and size. The same general procedure can be employed with respect to the tip of the nail as desired and as will be clearly and in detail set forth and de-, scribed hereinafter.

The novel method in the course of which the stencil is employed, is, in one form, generally as follows:

1. The nail is thoroughly cleaned;

2. The moon portion is then covered roughly with a white polish and allowed to dry thoroughly;

3. A stencil of the desired size and shape is then placed over this moon portion with'its outer edge of the desired shape disposed in the desired position on the nail. This stencil is made of any suitable material which is generally relatively thin and pliable such as paper, Cellophane, cellulosic or fibrous material, and the like but in the most preferred embodiment is preferably one which is not affected by any of the substances applied to the nail, the finger, or the cuticle such as nail polishes, nail polish removers, cleansers and the like, so that it is impervious to them and they will not get through the material while it is on the nail. The material is preferably provided on its under surface in contact with the nail proper or the nail polish with a suitable adhesive which may be any desired adhesive applied over the entire surface of that portion of the mask which it is intended to press into intimate contact with the nail proper or the nail polish already on the nail but which adhesive in the most preferred embodiment is one which is neither soluble in nor affected nor destroyed by the usual nail polishes, removers, cleansers, etc., such as alcohol, acetone and other nail treating substances and which is preferably of a non-drying nature so that the stencil, mask, or design mask, can be properly adhered to the nail or polish and yet can be quickly and eas lyrremoved without affecting the surface of the nail or polish or leaving parts of the stencil or ad hesiite sticking to the nail or polish upon removal of the Mil. Adhesives which have been tried out and found uz. lUiLET,

polish is wiped off with a polish remover from this moon section leaving a natural moon section or other shape I'l shown in Fig. 2c. Thereafter this moon section is covered as in Fig 2d with polish l8 of a color contrasting with the color l3. This is allowed to dry or set and thenthe stencil I5 is removed leaving a very clear and definite line of demarcation between the main portion of the nail and the moon section. If it is desired to produce a contrasting or distinct tip portion, then the tip stencil I9 is placed as shown in Fig. 2] a little to the rear of the ordinary tip of the nail with its convex edge in line with the inner curve of the desired tip portion. Then the color l3 ahead of the stencil I9 is wiped off the tip section 20 as shown in Fig. 29 and thereafter is covered with a contrasting color 2| as shown in Fig. 2h or, if desired, this tip portion may be left in its natural color. After this color has dried or set, the stencil or mask 19 is removed leaving a well defined line of demarcation between the main nail portion and the tip portion, as shown in Fig. 2i, in which it is shown to be possible to cover the nail with three contrasting colors.

In Figs. 3a., b, c, d, and e is illustrated another form of the invention in which it is proposed to place an ornamental design mask on the main portion of the nail and leave a natural color moon. In carrying out this process or method, a thoroughly cleaned nail is covered as shown in Fig. 3a with the stencil ll of any desired size and shape, preferably as shown, and the exposed portion of the nail is then covered with a colored nail polish such as I3. In the next step, after the polish l3 has thoroughly dried, an ornamental design mask 21, such as one formed in the shape of the letter G, and made of the above mentioned material and supplied with the above mentioned adhesive, is placed as shown in Fig. 3b on top of the colored polish 13. Then the colored polish exposed'in Fig. 3b is wiped off, leaving the nail as shown in Fig. 30. After this, a contrasting colored polish is, if desired, placed around the nail on the exposed portions, resulting in the appearance shown in Fig. 3d. After this contrasting colored polish has set or dried for a short while, the stencil II and the design mask 21 are removed leaving the design form in one color with the main body of the nail remaining in a contrasting color and with the moon 28 in its natural color.

With regard to the method shown in Fig. 3, it is to be observed that after the first step shown in Fig. 3a is completed, the stencil H can be removed thus leaving the natural moon with the rest of the nail in the color I3 without any design or other contrasting color thereon. This part of the method is very simple and efiicient and may often be preferred as is without any of the further described steps.

In Figs. 4a, b, and 0 another modification of the method is shown in a permanent stencil as applied to the moon section of the nail. In this case a stencil 22 is applied in the same manner as in Fig. 1b to the moon section. The exposed nail in Fig. 4b is then covered with a foundation color l3 and then the excess tail portion 23 of the stencil 22 isthen cut off along the edge of the cuticle 24 and the remainder pasted down to form a complete moon 25 as shown in Fig. 40.

Fig. 5 illustrates a variety of forms of stencils, masks, and design masks which may be employed in connection with this treatment and the various modifications of the general method shown and described heretofore. In Figs. 5a, b, and c are the forms employed and shown in the above described methods, in which a and b may be reversed so as to slenderize the nail and the sides of these stencils may be used as straight edges, and 0 may be used as a moon stencil instead of stencil II in Fig. lb or instead of stencil IS in Fig. 2b. Fig. 5e shows a form of mask or stencil which has a plurality of differently shaped edges and embodies the stencil configurations shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 and in addition has a point 26 which. could be used as atip stencil in place of the stencil l8 when the tip of the nail is cut in a pointed manner, or as a moon stencil in place of the stencil II in Fig. lb.

Figs. 5d, 1, g, h, and i illustrate'a series of different forms of design masks which may be employed on the nail when it is desired to impose thereon a definite design to enhance the beauty of the nail and this ornamental design mask may in the manners described above be colored or tinted in a contrasting manner if desired. It is understood that these design masks may be put on before the color is applied or after the color is applied and may be removed or left permanently on the nail, to suit the taste of the user.

All these stencils, masks, and design masks above described are preferably made of a suitable material which is fiexible and impervious to the usual polishes, removers, cleansers and the like employed in nail treatment so that when in place to cover or protect a predetermined portion of the nail, the polish, removers, cleansers, etc., can not get through or around the stencil, mask, or design mask to affect the covered or protected area. These stencils, masks or design masks, may be made of any suitable material such as a cellulosic substance, waxed papers, masking tape,

and'the like, and may be transparent, trans- Preferably and necessarily the surface of the stencil, mask, or design mask employed adjacent and in contact with the nail or the nail coating must be supplied with an adhesive which may be applied thereto when the device is made or just before the device is to be applied to the nail. This adhesive is preferably one which is nondrying, at least when the temporary form of the stencil, mask, or design mask is being used, so that it can be removed with ease from the nail and will not leave any adhesive or portion of the device on the nail or on the underlying polish as it is being removed. This adhesive furthermore must be such as to resist the action of the usual polishes, removers, lacquers, etc., employed so that its adhesive action is not affected by coming into contact with such substances. Such adhesives may be such as various gums, gum tragacanth, gum acacia, Irish moss, starches, sugars, latex bases, etc., either drying or nondrying as the use may demand as above indicated. Thus in effect the adhesive on the mask forms an impenetrable barrier to the invasion into the protected area of any of the nail treating substances mentioned and therefore it is possible that the adhesive itself without the mask may in desired instances, be employed and achieve these results.

When a permanent mask, stencil or design mask is employed in final position to be permanently applied to the nail, a colorless or other substance such as a liquid of a fixing nature may 76 I arcane polish is wiped oif a- -remover from this moon section leaving a natural moon section or other shape- I'I shown in Thereafterthis menu sectionis covered as in Fig 2d with polish" ll of a color contrasting with the color.

is desired to-produce a contrasting or distinct tip portion, then the tip stencil I9 is placedflas shown in Fig. 2j a little to the rear of the ordinary tip of the nail with, its convex edge in line.

withthe innercurve of thedesired tip pol-as Then the color l3 ahead of the stencil II is wiped off the tip section II as? shown in Fig. 29 and thereafter is covered with a contrasting color 2| as shown Fig. 2h or, if desired, this tip portion portion of the nail is then covered with a colored '35.:

the polish I! has thoroughly dried, an orna-' may be let in its natural color. After this color has dried or set, the stencil or mask 19 is removed leaving a. well definedflinenf demarcation between the main nail portion and the tip portion, as shown inFlg. 21, in which it is shown to.

bepossible to cover the nail with three contrast-- ing colors.

' In Ifigs. 3a, I form of theinvention' in which it is proposed to placejan ornamental-design mask on the main portion of'the nail andleave a natural color in Fig. 3a with the stencil ll of any desired size and shape, preferably as shown, and the exposed nail polish such as It In the next step, after mental design mask 21, such as one: formed in the shape of the letter 6, and made of the above .mentioned material and supplied with the above mentioned adhesive, is placed as shown in Fig.

3b on top of'the colored polish l3. Then the- (colored polish exposed in Fig. 3b'is wiped off,

leaving thenall as shown in Fig. 30. After this, a contrasting colored polish is, if desired, placed around the nail on the exposed portions, resulting in the appearance shown in Fig. 3d. After this contrasting colored polish has set or dried fora short while,-the stencil ii .and the design mask 21 are removed leaving the design form in one color with the main body of the nail remaining in a contrasting color and with themoon ll in its'natural color. l V

With regard to the method shown in Fig. 3, it is-to be observed that after the first step shown in Fig. 3a is completed, the stencil II can be removed thus leaving the natural moon with the rest of the nail in thecolor IS without any designer other contrastingcolor thereon. This part of the-method is very simple and efllcient 1 and may' often be preferred as is ,withoutany of the further, described steps. v

In Figs. 4a, b,' and 0 another modification of the method is shown in .a permanent stencil as applied to the. moon section of the nail. In this the cuticle I4 and'the remainder pasted down to form acomplete moon '1' as shown in Fig. 4c.

Fig. 5 illustrates a variety'of forms of stencils,

and design masks whichmay be employed in connection with this treatment and the various bjc, d, and e is illustrated another moon. In'carrying out. this process or method. a thoroughly cleanedv nail is,.'cover'ed,as shown- 05; case 'a stencil 2! is applied in the same manner described heretofore. In Figs. 5a, b, andjc are the forms employed and shown in the above do- -scribed--.methods,3;in which-a andv b may be re- 'v.ersed:'so'as tof'slenderize the nailand' the sides of thesejstencil'si'rnaybe used as straight edges. and c. ma'y-beused asa moon stencil instead of stencil ll iniFig. lb or'instead of stencil II in Fig. 2b.. Fig. 5e-shows a form of mask or stencil" which has a plurality of differently shaped'edges and embodies the stencil configurations shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 and in addition'has a point 28 which could be used as a tip stencil in place of the stencil II when the tip of the nail iscut.

I tinted in a contrasting manner if desired. It is understo'odthat these design masks may be put on before. .the color is applied or after the color is applied and-maybe removed or leftpern'ianently on thenail, tosuit the taste of the user.

; All these stencils, masks, and design masks above described .are preferably made of a suitable material which is flexible andimpervious to the usual ipolishes, removers, cleansers and the like employedin nail treatment sothat when in place to cover or protect a predetermined. portion of the thepolish, removers, cleansers, etc.,

can not get through or aroundithe stencil, mask, or designmask to affect the covered or protected area. stencils, masks or "design. masks, may bemade of any suitable material such as a cellulosic'substance, waxed papers, masking tape,

and the like, and'may be transparent, trans lucent,*or opaque and of any color. and may be designed to be removable or permanent on the nail. the user at will.

Preferably and necessarilythe surface of the stencil, mask, or design mask employed adja cent and in contact with the nail or the nail coating must be supplied with an adhesive which may be applied thereto when the device is made or just before the device is to be applied to the nail; This adhesive is preferably one whichis nondrying, at least when the temporary form of the stencil. mask, or design mask is being used, so that it can be removed with ease from the nail and will not leave any adhesive or portion of the device on 'therrail or on the underlying polish as it is being removed. This adhesive furthermore must be such as to resist the action of the usual polishes, removers, lacquers, etc., employed so that its adhesive action is not affected bycompossible that the adhesive itself without the mask may. ,in desired instances, be employed and achieve theseresults. Y

When-a permanentmask, stencil ordesign mask is position-to be permsnently-applied to ther-FnaIh-a colorless or other They may be cut ready for use or cut by- (6 modifications of the general method and. suhstancesuchasaliqiiid of a fixingnaturemay be applied over the whole nail including the permanent device so as to more firmly hold the device .in place as well as to smooth the surface level between the top of the device and the level of the remaining portion of the nail.

When the design'mask shown in Fig. 5i, containing the letter G thereon, is to be used, this will be in cases where it is desired to cover 'or protect the whole nail 'as a sort of ornamental protecting covering which adds to the beauty of the nail and protects it from contact, blows, and damagewhen the other nails are being treated. It also is used to cover and protect nails, which have been damaged or broken, while they are healing up. This ornamental design mask 29 is of the material above mentioned and supplied with any of the desired adhesives mentioned and is shaped to be longenough to cover and protect the entire nail and to be adhered thereto after being out exactly to the desired size of the nail. It may be supplied with any ornamental design thereon such as shown by the letter G and may be colored as desired.

'In the'Fig. 6, there is shown a finished nail which has been treated generally according to the method shown in Fig. 2, and in which the stencil employed is of the general shape and type shown in Fig. 2b but in particular is of a shape to produce an arrow or spear head design in color on the nail. This is not only ornamental and artistic but the spear point shown does give a positive effect of lengthening or slenderizing the nail in addition to adding to its beauty. To achieve this result, the nail is treated with the color it over its entire surface and then a spear head shaped stencil or mask is placed on the hall with its tip -or apex coinciding with the front edge of the nail. After the stencil is in place then the rest of the nail exposed is wiped with any suitable removers as above mentioned leaving the uncolored exposed portions as shown in Fig. 6 and leaving a spear head design on the nail as shown bythe number 30. The surrounding portions or areas may if desired be left colorless or may be produced in contrasting colors in accordance with any of the methods above described and by using any of the stencils, masks, or design masks above set forth. If found desired more than one stencil may be used in producing this effect and in accordance with the 1. A device for treating nails which comprises a mask of material impervious to nail treating substances and a non-drying adhesive resistant to the same substances disposed on the surface of the mask which is to be pressed into intimate contact with the nail.

2. A method of treating nails which comprisescovering one portion of the nail with adhesive material resistant to nail treating substances while other portions are being,treated whereby protecting one portion of the nail with adhesive material acting as a resistant barrier to nail treating substances while the other portions are being treated whereby a clear definite and accu-, rate line of demarcation between the several sections may be'produced'.

4. A device employed in the treatment of nails which comprises a mask of relatively thin pliable material and a non-drying adhesive resistant to nail treating substances disposed on its under surface to be pressed into intimate contact with the area of the nail to be protected while other areas are being treated.

5. A device employed in the treatment of nails which comprises a mask of relatively thin pliable material of a quality to resist nail treating substances and a non-drying adhesive resistant to nail treating substances disposed on its under surface to be pressed into intimate contact with the area of the nail to be protected while other areas are being treated.

6. A. method of treating nails which comprises I applying a substance to at least the moon section of the nail, subsequently covering a portion of the nail with adhesive material resistant to nail treating substances, then wiping the exposed portions of the nail, then applying another substance to the exposed portions, and then removing the covering. I W

'l. 'A method of treating nails which comprises applying a substance to the entire nail, placing a plurality of stencils resistant to nail treating substances over the middle portion of the nail,

wiping the end portions of the nails beyond the 9. A method of treating nails which comprises covering the moon portion with a shaped'stencil by means of adhesive resistant to nail treating substances. applying a substance to the exposed portion of the nail, and then cutting off the pottions of the stencil which extend beyond the moon portion and leaving the remainder of the stencil on and covering the moon portion.

10. A device for treating nails which comprises a stencil of material resistant to nail treating substances, used in the treatment of the nail to produce a colored design thereon tapering from the base to the tip of the nail.

11. A method of treating and slenderizing nails which comprises covering the entire nail with a color, placing a stencil of material resistant to nail treating substances over the nail having a tapered shape which tapers oil to a point coincident with the tip of the nail, wiping the exposed portions of the nail, and then removing the stencil.

12. A device for treating nails which comprises .a stencil or mask of predetermined form adapte ed to cover a predetermined portion of the nail while the other portions are being treated, the

mask being of material impervious to nail-treating substances, and provided with adhesive 'adiaoent the nail. and of material insolublev in nail treating substances, said adhesive being of a non-drying nature, such as water soluble'adhesives of animal or vegetable glue and theiike.

18. A device for treating nails which comprises. a mask of material impervious to nail treating substances such as alcohol, acetone, and the like, and a non-drying adhesive resistant to the same substances disposed on the surface of the mask which is to be pressed into intimate contact with the nail.

14. A- mail stencil for use in manicuring to cover and protect a portion of the nail comprising a flexible strip having a part shaped to cover said portion of the nail, said strip having an adhesve coating at least on said nail covering part for securing the same directly to the portion of the nail to be covered.

15,-A nail stencil adapted for a single use in manicuring to cover and protect substantially the moon portion of the nail comprising a flexible strip having an end part shaped to substantially cover said portion of the nail, said strip having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating at least on said nail covering part for removably securing the same directly to said portion of the nail.

16. The method of nail treating comprising aflixing a mask with adhesive directly to the nail, said mask being of opaque material and of any desired'color, and said mask and nail treated with a protective covering substance.

17. The method of nail treating comprising amxing a mask with adhesive directly to the nail, said mask being of transparent material and of any desired color, and said mask and nail treated with a protective covering substance.

18. The method of nail treating comprising aiiixing a mask with adhesive directly to the nail, said mask being of translucent material and of any desired color, and said mask and nail treated with a protective covering substance.

'19. The method of nail treating comprising afixing a mask with adhesive directly to the nail, said mask being of opaque material and of any desired color, and said mask and nail treated with a transparent protective covering substance.

243. The method of nail treating comprising amxing a mask with adhesive directly to the nail, said mask being of transparent material and of any desired color, and said mask and nail treated with a transparent protective covering substance. 4

21. The method 0! nail treating comprising nail, said mask being of transparent material and of any desired color, and said mask and nail treated with a translucent protective covering substance.

24. The method of nail treating comprising aflixing a mask with adhesive directly to the nail, said mask being of translucent materiai and of any desired color, and said mask and nail treated with a translucent protective covering substance.

25. The structure set out in claim 14 in which the stencil is made of transparent material and may be permanently afiixed to the nail.

26. The structure set out in claim 14 in which the stencil is made of translucent material and may be permanently affixed to the nail.

27. The structure set out in claim 14 in which the stencil is made of opaque material and may be permanently aiiixed to the nail. I

28. The structure set out in claim. 14 in which the stencil is made of opaque material and of any color desired and may be permanently af- -fixed to the nail. e

29. The structure set out in claim 14 in which the stencil is made of transparent material and of any color desired and may be permanently V afiixed to the nail. 

